Dera Luce
@deraluce.bsky.social
Nigerian-American interdisciplinary storyteller who calls Berlin home
for fans of ATLANTA and THE GOOD PLACE
Life in Berlin is so lonely. Everyone wants community, but no one wants to take care of community when community gets possessed.
☠️ the dating pool is poisoned
🏳️⚧️ trans man love interest
🙏 gangster w/ a savior complex
🚲 bike club…or cult?
#DVPit #A #TV #ND
Life in Berlin is so lonely. Everyone wants community, but no one wants to take care of community when community gets possessed.
☠️ the dating pool is poisoned
🏳️⚧️ trans man love interest
🙏 gangster w/ a savior complex
🚲 bike club…or cult?
#DVPit #A #TV #ND
October 1, 2026 at 12:02 AM
An obsessive romantic makes a deal w/a demon to prevent her parents' divorce.
When the deal fails, she's trapped in a rotting relationship w/her dream guy.
Now she must choose bw fixing what's broken and preserving her identity, all while fighting a mind powered by doubt
#DVPit #A #H #ND #MH
When the deal fails, she's trapped in a rotting relationship w/her dream guy.
Now she must choose bw fixing what's broken and preserving her identity, all while fighting a mind powered by doubt
#DVPit #A #H #ND #MH
September 30, 2026 at 10:40 PM
OBSESSION x BLACK WATER SISTER
A young immigrant makes a deal with a demon to save her parents' marriage.
Now she's trapped in her own rotting romance, and she must ditch him before his aura destroys her completely.
Too bad he's her guardian angel, and he's not losing this gig.
#DVPit #A #H #TV
A young immigrant makes a deal with a demon to save her parents' marriage.
Now she's trapped in her own rotting romance, and she must ditch him before his aura destroys her completely.
Too bad he's her guardian angel, and he's not losing this gig.
#DVPit #A #H #TV
September 30, 2026 at 9:21 PM
for fans of ATLANTA and THE GOOD PLACE
Life in Berlin is so lonely. Everyone wants community; no one wants to take care of community when community gets possessed.
☠️ the dating pool is poisoned
🏳️⚧️ trans man love interest
🙏 gangster w/ a savior complex
🚲 bike club…or cult?
#DVPit #A #TV #ND #BVM
Life in Berlin is so lonely. Everyone wants community; no one wants to take care of community when community gets possessed.
☠️ the dating pool is poisoned
🏳️⚧️ trans man love interest
🙏 gangster w/ a savior complex
🚲 bike club…or cult?
#DVPit #A #TV #ND #BVM
September 30, 2026 at 5:08 PM
qtbipoc OBSESSION
An obsessive romantic makes a deal w/a demon to prevent her parents' divorce.
When the marriage ends anyway, she must decide whether to keep her end of the deal—date a man of the demon's choosing.
If she makes the wrong choice, she'll have no one left to love
#DVPit #A #H #TV
An obsessive romantic makes a deal w/a demon to prevent her parents' divorce.
When the marriage ends anyway, she must decide whether to keep her end of the deal—date a man of the demon's choosing.
If she makes the wrong choice, she'll have no one left to love
#DVPit #A #H #TV
September 30, 2026 at 4:01 PM
An obsessive romantic makes a deal w/a demon to prevent her parents' divorce.
When the deal fails, she's trapped in a rotting relationship w/her dream guy. Now she must choose bw fixing what's broken and keeping a clean conscience, all while fighting a mind powered by doubt
#DVPit #A #H #TV
When the deal fails, she's trapped in a rotting relationship w/her dream guy. Now she must choose bw fixing what's broken and keeping a clean conscience, all while fighting a mind powered by doubt
#DVPit #A #H #TV
September 30, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Reposted by Dera Luce
Aside from filler words, looking at scene, subplot, and character could help. Do all scenes do at least two things: advance the plot, show theme, raise the stakes, and/or help character(s)? Could any character be combined and/or cut? What purpose does a subplot serve to the overall narrative? #AskDv
#askdv what is your best advice to cut word count?
September 24, 2026 at 5:14 PM
Aside from filler words, looking at scene, subplot, and character could help. Do all scenes do at least two things: advance the plot, show theme, raise the stakes, and/or help character(s)? Could any character be combined and/or cut? What purpose does a subplot serve to the overall narrative? #AskDv
Reposted by Dera Luce
Yes, I have passed on a manuscript where the pitch, story, or character was too similar to something one of my clients was working on. “Sitting on the same shelf” can also be a bit broader and just reference age and genre. #AskDv
With the advice to consider authors whose books would "sit on the same shelf as yours" and all their agents to your query list, I was curious if agents ever pass on a query because it's too similar to something by an existing client #AskDV
September 24, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Yes, I have passed on a manuscript where the pitch, story, or character was too similar to something one of my clients was working on. “Sitting on the same shelf” can also be a bit broader and just reference age and genre. #AskDv
Reposted by Dera Luce
Yes, there can definitely be an adult mystery with speculative/paranormal elements. A lot of agents and editors are looking for twists on genre. #AskDv
#askdv
is adult mystery with speculative elements a thing? in pitches it’s hard to decide which ones to focus on. Coz it’s a murder mystery but with some paranormal elements
is adult mystery with speculative elements a thing? in pitches it’s hard to decide which ones to focus on. Coz it’s a murder mystery but with some paranormal elements
September 24, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Yes, there can definitely be an adult mystery with speculative/paranormal elements. A lot of agents and editors are looking for twists on genre. #AskDv
Reposted by Dera Luce
For a DvPit pitch, it’s important for me to know the stakes and the character from the pitch. Interesting comps are a bonus, but also very helpful for an agent to later pitch to an editor. #AskDv
September 24, 2026 at 5:31 PM
For a DvPit pitch, it’s important for me to know the stakes and the character from the pitch. Interesting comps are a bonus, but also very helpful for an agent to later pitch to an editor. #AskDv
Reposted by Dera Luce
This will vary slightly by story, but the inciting incident should happen fairly early. Probably between 10-15% of the way into the manuscript. #AskDv
September 24, 2026 at 5:33 PM
This will vary slightly by story, but the inciting incident should happen fairly early. Probably between 10-15% of the way into the manuscript. #AskDv
Reposted by Dera Luce
Internal stakes can be huge! Just focus on how important the stakes are to the characters. Don't convince yourself everything needs to be about saving the world. Coming of age stories and family narratives are evergreen for a reason. Emotional stakes are important too! #AskDV
How do we go about drafting attention grabbing stakes for contemporary upmarket when it’s either internalized stakes or at most a change in MCs relationships? Unlike fantasy where stakes are higher risk or time bound? #AskDV
September 24, 2026 at 6:19 PM
Internal stakes can be huge! Just focus on how important the stakes are to the characters. Don't convince yourself everything needs to be about saving the world. Coming of age stories and family narratives are evergreen for a reason. Emotional stakes are important too! #AskDV
Reposted by Dera Luce
A good amount of guesswork. Monitoring the way sales are trending in what's out there now is useful. And sometimes we guess that people will want lighter (or darker!) content around an election (or after a pandemic), but it's pretty unscientific if I'm being honest. #AskDV
How does one predict trends in literature? Not to follow one, since following a trend is nigh difficult, but identifying signs so you can choose which story to pitch. Do you have educated guesses about how publishing looks two years in the future? #AskDV
September 24, 2026 at 6:21 PM
A good amount of guesswork. Monitoring the way sales are trending in what's out there now is useful. And sometimes we guess that people will want lighter (or darker!) content around an election (or after a pandemic), but it's pretty unscientific if I'm being honest. #AskDV
Reposted by Dera Luce
I think about it this way: the biggest moments in most books are about interpersonal relationships, even the bigger more action-driven genres. Relationships are the things that make the stakes real in any genre. Emotional stakes are actually the highest stakes. #AskDV
How do we go about drafting attention grabbing stakes for contemporary upmarket when it’s either internalized stakes or at most a change in MCs relationships? Unlike fantasy where stakes are higher risk or time bound? #AskDV
September 24, 2026 at 7:26 PM
I think about it this way: the biggest moments in most books are about interpersonal relationships, even the bigger more action-driven genres. Relationships are the things that make the stakes real in any genre. Emotional stakes are actually the highest stakes. #AskDV
Reposted by Dera Luce
#AskDV
Themes and diction tend to be big factors. If you’re thinking your story if made into a movie would be rated R then it’s probably for the adult market.
Themes and diction tend to be big factors. If you’re thinking your story if made into a movie would be rated R then it’s probably for the adult market.
How does YA horror differ from NA or Adult horror? It can't just be age of protagonist—a lot of horror features children
#askDV
#askDV
September 24, 2026 at 5:51 PM
#AskDV
Themes and diction tend to be big factors. If you’re thinking your story if made into a movie would be rated R then it’s probably for the adult market.
Themes and diction tend to be big factors. If you’re thinking your story if made into a movie would be rated R then it’s probably for the adult market.
Reposted by Dera Luce
I actually love when authors write diversely! It helps to also diversify your income stream as an author. So if you’re looking to write full-time one day this is a great way to get there.
How much do you care whether an author's next books stay in the same genre as the debut? Is moving between Southern Gothic, horror, and contemporary supernatural a plus or a risk? #askdv
September 24, 2026 at 5:42 PM
I actually love when authors write diversely! It helps to also diversify your income stream as an author. So if you’re looking to write full-time one day this is a great way to get there.
Reposted by Dera Luce
#AskDV
I usually recommend at the end of Chapter 3 or sooner for the adult space. Even sooner for KidLit. But these do vary! The biggest thing is to ground the reader first in a typical life or day of your character before their life changes.
I usually recommend at the end of Chapter 3 or sooner for the adult space. Even sooner for KidLit. But these do vary! The biggest thing is to ground the reader first in a typical life or day of your character before their life changes.
September 24, 2026 at 5:44 PM
#AskDV
I usually recommend at the end of Chapter 3 or sooner for the adult space. Even sooner for KidLit. But these do vary! The biggest thing is to ground the reader first in a typical life or day of your character before their life changes.
I usually recommend at the end of Chapter 3 or sooner for the adult space. Even sooner for KidLit. But these do vary! The biggest thing is to ground the reader first in a typical life or day of your character before their life changes.
Reposted by Dera Luce
#AskDV
I always recommend focusing on the character arc in your pitch and query, covering your character’s turning points that take them from who they were at the beginning to who they’ve become by the end.
I always recommend focusing on the character arc in your pitch and query, covering your character’s turning points that take them from who they were at the beginning to who they’ve become by the end.
My book has a lot of layers and I like it that way, but when I describe it succinctly, something important always gets left out.
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
September 24, 2026 at 5:45 PM
#AskDV
I always recommend focusing on the character arc in your pitch and query, covering your character’s turning points that take them from who they were at the beginning to who they’ve become by the end.
I always recommend focusing on the character arc in your pitch and query, covering your character’s turning points that take them from who they were at the beginning to who they’ve become by the end.
Reposted by Dera Luce
In a query: 1) Who's the mc/mc's, 2) What do they want and what will they have to do get it, 3) What happens if they succeed, and what happens if they fail? Plus bio and book info.
In a pitch: Pretty much the same, but in sentences instead of paragraphs, and minus the book info and bio.
#AskDV
In a pitch: Pretty much the same, but in sentences instead of paragraphs, and minus the book info and bio.
#AskDV
My book has a lot of layers and I like it that way, but when I describe it succinctly, something important always gets left out.
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
September 24, 2026 at 5:37 PM
In a query: 1) Who's the mc/mc's, 2) What do they want and what will they have to do get it, 3) What happens if they succeed, and what happens if they fail? Plus bio and book info.
In a pitch: Pretty much the same, but in sentences instead of paragraphs, and minus the book info and bio.
#AskDV
In a pitch: Pretty much the same, but in sentences instead of paragraphs, and minus the book info and bio.
#AskDV
Reposted by Dera Luce
Agents may read one or the other first depending on their preference. The query and the pages serve different purposes, and one isn’t more important than the other. The query gives me a sense of the story engine and the plot skeleton. The pages give me a sense of voice. Both have to excite! #askDV
How important is the first page of the manuscript vs the query letter? Do agents read the query first or the pages first?
Thank you so much! 💗
#AskDV
Thank you so much! 💗
#AskDV
September 24, 2026 at 5:27 PM
Agents may read one or the other first depending on their preference. The query and the pages serve different purposes, and one isn’t more important than the other. The query gives me a sense of the story engine and the plot skeleton. The pages give me a sense of voice. Both have to excite! #askDV
Reposted by Dera Luce
If the story wraps up satisfyingly in Book 1 but could continue, saying “standalone with series potential” conveys that succinctly. While series are getting shorter many genres still thrive on series publishing and I wouldn’t consider it a problem if a manuscript I loved kicked off a series. #askDV
#AskDv
For a debut author, how much of a concern is it if Book 1 is the start of a larger planned series? If the first book completes its main arc, is saying “planned series” still seen as a risk?
For a debut author, how much of a concern is it if Book 1 is the start of a larger planned series? If the first book completes its main arc, is saying “planned series” still seen as a risk?
September 24, 2026 at 5:30 PM
If the story wraps up satisfyingly in Book 1 but could continue, saying “standalone with series potential” conveys that succinctly. While series are getting shorter many genres still thrive on series publishing and I wouldn’t consider it a problem if a manuscript I loved kicked off a series. #askDV
My book has a lot of layers and I like it that way, but when I describe it succinctly, something important always gets left out.
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
September 24, 2026 at 5:31 PM
My book has a lot of layers and I like it that way, but when I describe it succinctly, something important always gets left out.
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
What, in your opinion, is the most important story element to convey in a pitch? In a query?
#askDV
Reposted by Dera Luce
Keep in mind that your book will be shelved in one section of a bookstore rather than on multiple shelves. An agent can help refine that category before subbing your book, but I'd consider what might be the primary genre, i.e. a horror with romantic elements, or a romance with horror elements #AskDV
#askDV it seems crossover may be popular right now, but what is your advice for pitching manuscripts that may straddle a few genres?
September 24, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Keep in mind that your book will be shelved in one section of a bookstore rather than on multiple shelves. An agent can help refine that category before subbing your book, but I'd consider what might be the primary genre, i.e. a horror with romantic elements, or a romance with horror elements #AskDV
BLACK WATER SISTER x ATLANTA
💔Parents on the brink of divorce
👻A possessed roommate
🍀 Jo's been set up with the man of her dreams, but she lives in fear of The Third Thing. They're a match made in heaven, yet Jo's life is hell. She'll burn it all to the ground if she loses control
#preDV #NA #H
💔Parents on the brink of divorce
👻A possessed roommate
🍀 Jo's been set up with the man of her dreams, but she lives in fear of The Third Thing. They're a match made in heaven, yet Jo's life is hell. She'll burn it all to the ground if she loses control
#preDV #NA #H
September 22, 2026 at 6:51 PM